Policies

Library Rules of Conduct

It is the Library’s mission to provide free and easy access to its facilities, resources, and services for all people of Albany. To this end, the library has established rules of conduct that promote a safe, comfortable, healthy, and barrier-free environment. Library staff shall make every effort to apply these rules in a fair, humane and positive manner for the benefit of all. The rules of conduct cover activities inside and outside the Library building including the Library grounds and parking lots. We ask your cooperation in maintaining an environment conducive to enjoyable use of the library for all.

While at the library we encourage you to:

1. Help us maintain the Library as a community quiet space by quieting your voice, children’s voices, and by turning off your cell phone.

2. Ask for help when you need it

3. Give us your suggestions about how we can improve our services, collections, and facilities.

4. Enjoy the time you spend here.

5. Have the expectation of reasonable privacy to read, view, and listen to library materials.

So that everyone may have a safe and enjoyable experience while at the Library, the following are prohibited:

1. Using tobacco products in the Library or near the front door. Use may include: chewing, rolling, smoking, spitting, etc.

2. Eating or drinking, except in approved areas by authorized groups.

3. Sleeping, loitering, or lying on the floor.

4. Being in the Library without shoes, shirts, or other appropriate clothing. Children too young to walk do not need shoes.

5. Violating other user’s expectation of reasonable privacy.

6. Bringing pets or other animals, except service animals, into the Library.

7. Bathing or washing clothes.

8. Being under the influence of, consuming, or possessing alcohol or illegal substances.

9. Leaving children ten years and younger unattended.

10. Bringing into the Library anything that is unsafe, including firearms or other weapons, unless the individual is licensed to carry a firearm, or anything that creates an obstacle or takes up seating, including bicycles, carts, or large backpacks.

11. Running.

12. Talking or playing audio equipment at a volume that disturbs others.

13. Being disruptive, disorderly, or harassing patrons and/or staff or otherwise interfering with any person’s comfort or safety.

14. Cell phone use in the Library.

15. Disturbing others because of poor personal hygiene.

16. Conducting surveys or distributing printed material.

17. Panhandling or soliciting for sales or charity.

18. Destroying, defacing, or abusing Library property.

In addition to the above, violation of any federal or state statute or local ordinance will be regarded as a violation of Library rules. The City of Albany reserves the right to eject or refuse further admission to those individuals who violate Library rules, create disorder, or engage in illegal activity. Violators are subject to arrest for trespass under Section 7.40.040 of the Albany Municipal Code. These sanctions are not exclusive and any other remedies available by law or equity to obtain compliance with these rules will be pursued.

Meeting Room Policy

For additional information on the using the Meeting Room(s), please refer to the Meeting Room page.

General Information
1. Library facilities will be assigned on a first come, first served basis except for regularly scheduled meetings of boards and commissions, Library sponsored
events, and grandfathered groups.
2. Reservations may be made no more than 30 days in advance unless arrangements have been made and approved by the Library Director, or designee.
3. The Meeting room is available to groups for educational, civic, and cultural functions that are open to the public FREE of charge. The Meeting room is not available for private use that limits participation by membership, invitation, or where admission is charged or money raised. The exchange of money for non
Library related goods or services by user is prohibited.
4. The Meeting room is not available for social gatherings, religious, partisan, fundraising functions, or commercial purposes.
5. Facilities are available for preparing refreshments but are to be arranged for at the time of application. The applicant is responsible for cleaning up after the function.
6. Library facilities must be left in their original conditions, and parking and noise problems must be controlled by the user. Meeting room divider is to be opened/closed by Library staff only.
7. Permission to use Library facilities does not in any way construe Library endorsement of a given user’s policies or beliefs.
8. The Meeting room will be available the following times:
Monday 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Saturday 11:30 a.m. 4:45 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
For grandfathered groups, and depending on which day of the week the meeting takes place, the Meeting room doors will be locked at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or 8:00 p.m., when the Library closes, so that access will not be permitted to the main part of the Library. However, there will be access to rest rooms and
kitchen facilities, but not the staff kitchen. No keys to the Library will be lent to groups unless prior arrangements have been made and approved by the Library Director, or designee.
9. It is prohibited to use the name and the address of Library facilities as a mailing address for organizations meeting in the facilities except as approved by the Library Director, or designee.
10. Alcohol is prohibited in Library facilities.
11. Smoking is prohibited in Library facilities.
12. Gambling in any form is prohibited in Library facilities.
13. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.

Administrative Procedures
1. A coffee maker is available for use in the Meeting room kitchen; and coffee makers with exposed hot elements will not be permitted in the Meeting rooms (self contained coffee urns will be permitted). Users need to bring their own coffee, 12 cup coffee filters, tea, creamer, sugar, cups, plates, napkins, and
utensils if they wish to provide refreshments.
2. Although food and beverage is permitted, users must avoid food or drink that may stain or damage the facilities or furniture. In particular, users should not bring red or orange punch, grape punch or juice, or tomato juice.
3. Users are required to get equipment orientation checklist for Meeting room prior to meeting.
4. Telephone messages will be delivered in emergency situations only.
5. Outside doors are not to be propped open. Please observe all signage about the alarms on doors when exiting.Liability and Regulations

1. All persons using the facilities will hold the City of Albany Public Library harmless from any and all liability for injury to persons or property as a result of their activities.
2. Decorating or changes to the facilities must be discussed at the time of application. The use of cellophane, adhesive or masking tapes, nails, staples, screws, etc., on tables, walls or ceilings, or other equipment or facilities is prohibited except on designated bulletin boards.
3. The user shall be responsible for any damage to Library equipment or property. If additional janitorial maintenance is required other than the normal cleaning process, the applicant will be charged accordingly.
4. The Library’s Meeting room will be left in an acceptable condition with chairs stacked and tables folded.
5. The Library reserves the right to cancel any use of its facilities upon two weeks’ advance notice. Should a group decide not to meet, notice of cancellation should be made at least 24 hours in advance.
6. Cancellation of facility use privileges by the Library may result for reasons including but not limited to
the following:
a. Failure of user to observe rules and regulations.
b. Failure of user to leave the facility and furniture in original condition, neat, clean, and undamaged.
c. Failure of user to give advance notice of cancellation.
d. Disorderly conduct or disturbances.
e. False representation of the user and its planned activities.

For additional information on the using the Meeting Room(s), please refer to the Meeting Room page.

Internet Acceptable Use Policy

(REVISED 10/03)

As part of our mission to serve as a free, open archive of culture and knowledge and an ever-changing repository of information in varied formats, we are pleased to provide information resources through the Internet in both library branches and to recommend sites on our Web pages. Library staff will provide on-site log-on and log-off procedures and basic troubleshooting tips, but are not available for in-depth Internet instruction.

We have adopted the American Library Association’s endorsement of Internet access, so that the same standards of intellectual freedom, privacy, and confidentiality that are incorporated into Albany Public Library policies for traditional media shall also be applied to electronic media.

The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide access to material beyond the confines of its own collection. It allows access to ideas, information, and commentary from around the globe. However, the Internet is currently an unregulated medium. Some material may be offensive, inaccurate, illegal, or incomplete. The availability of information does not constitute endorsement of the content by the Albany Public Library. Users themselves are encouraged to evaluate the validity of all information accessed through the Internet.

All Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided equally to all users. Albany Public Library supports the right and responsibility of parents to direct usage of the Internet by their own children and provides convenient access to filtered search engines. Filtered search engines (which are not under the control of the Library) may restrict access to sites which could be deemed objectionable, but may also limit access to sites which have legitimate research value. No filtering system is completely effective.

The Public Library, unlike schools, does not serve in loco parentis (in place of a parent). Librarians cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet. Library staff will not require that children utilize filtered search engines for their research. As with private usage of all other Library materials, monitoring a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Conditions of Library Computer Use

Users may not install or download ANY program or software updates onto the library computers. Files may be downloaded onto floppy disks (available for sale at the Reference and Children’s Desks) and users may suggest useful software for library installations. Ask a librarian if you need assistance.

Users may not alter or damage existing hardware or software, including but not limited to changing configurations, settings, and preferences. Creating auto-logins to your personal accounts is not allowed. This creates problems for other users and is a risk to your own privacy.

Users may make only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data. Costs for printing are posted on the printers.

It is not acceptable to use Internet access for any purposes that violate U.S. or state laws. As per ORS 167.060 to 167.095, it is a crime to display obscene material to minors. Violators will be prosecuted. Nor is it acceptable to transmit or receive material that is threatening, obscene, harassing, or child pornography, or to interfere with or disrupt network users, services, or equipment. Disruptions include but are not limited to: distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer worms and viruses, and using the network to make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible via the network.

Children under ten years of age must be accompanied by an adult when using any of the public computers, including the Internet. Older children may use the Internet independently; however, monitoring what a child views on the Internet remains the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Due to space limitations and considerations of noise and convenience, we strictly limit the number of persons who may share one Internet station to two individuals.

Procedures governing the terms of use at either library depend upon demand placed on Internet resources. In an effort to fairly distribute access to all, users may encounter limitations on turns and/or time restrictions.

The “Library Rules of Conduct” policy also applies to the use of the Internet and failure to comply with the policies defined in these documents may result in the revocation of all Internet use privileges at both branches of the Library. (See Procedures Manual, Violations of Internet Acceptable Use Policy.)

Unattended Children Policy

To provide for the general welfare of all persons and to ensure the safety of children using the Albany Public Library, the policy of the Albany Public Library is:

The Library cannot be responsible for children left unattended in the Library.

Children under 10 years of age, shall, at all times, be attended and adequately supervised by a responsible caregiver at least 12 years old who shall be responsible for the child’s activity and behavior. Children should be in sight of their caregiver at all times.

If a child is left in the Library or outside the Library after closing hours, an attempt will be made to reach the child’s parents or caregivers. If they cannot be reached, the Albany Police Department will be called after 15 minutes.

The Oregon Revised Statutes (163.545) state: “A person having custody or control of a child under 10 years of age commits the crime of child neglect in the second degree if, with criminal negligence, the person leaves the child unattended in or at any place for such period of time as may be likely to endanger the health or welfare of such child.”